Camera having lens protection cover

ABSTRACT

A lens protection cover is contained within a barrel ahead of the objective lens, and opening and closing of this lens protection cover is performed by an actuator operable along the periphery of the lens barrel, whereby it is possible not only to protect the objective lens when not in use, but also to permit camera operation to be controlled by the open and closed positions of the lens projection cover so that faulty operation is prevented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

This invention relates to cameras having lens protection covers ahead ofthe objective lenses thereof when not shooting, and more particularly tocameras with the lens protection cover opening and closing through anactuator.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

In the past, cameras have been provided with lens protection capsattachable to and detachable from the lens housing.

The objective lens must be protected from the adherence of dust, stainsor the like which will result in a reduction of the imaging performance,and from damage by hard objects directly hitting the lens at all timesexcept when shooting, that is, at times when the camera is being carriedor stored.

Such typical lens protection caps have, however, two drawbacks asfollows: The first one is that when shooting, the detached protectioncap must be kept either in a pocket of the photographer's garment, or ona nearby shelf, for example, so that the reattachment of the lensprotection cap will be often overlooked, and in the latter case it willoften be missed.

The second drawback which is encountered with cameras, other than thetype in which an object to be photographed is viewed through theobjective lens as in the single lens reflex camera, is that thephotographer will often forget to take off the lens protection capbefore shooting. Particularly with recently developed automatic exposurecameras and automatic focus cameras, the photographer accustoms himselfto not manually setting the diaphragm and focus, and therefore forgetsthe otherwise indispensable diaphragm presetting ring and distanceadjusting ring. Accordingly, he is unaware of the lens protection capstill on the front of the lens mounting.

To elimimate these two drawbacks, there has been proposed a camera inwhich the releasably attached lens protection cap covers so widely thatis also extends over the finder window or the release button. This typecap, however, because of its increased size and complexity, intensifiesthe first drawback so that the availability of places for accomodationat the time of shooting is largely reduced, and therefore themanageability of the camera is also more troublesome.

To solve such problems, an attempt has been made to construct a camerawith a slidingly movable lens protection member supported on the frontpanel of the camera housing to shut and open the lens mounting portionas, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,171,894 and 4,189,222. Such a lensprotection member though able to solve the above problems to someextent, has the following alternative drawbacks.

Such a lens protection member is required to cover not only the frontpanel of the camera housing, but also the top and bottom panels thereof,thus contributing to increased camera bulk and size. Another drawback isincreased production cost. The protection member must also be opened andclosed directly by hand. An additional problem is that quick and easyopening and closing is difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a camera having a lens protection cover of very simple structurebuilt therein without causing a great increase in camera bulk and size.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera having alens protection cover with an actuator which also serves as a cameracontrol which is dependent on opening and closing of the lens protectioncover so that there is no possibility of faulty operation or a fruitlessshot.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the embodiments thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a camera having a lensprotection cover, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view illustrating a practical exampleof the opening and closing mechanism of a protection cover.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan views of the finder viewing field in theapparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a modification of the mechanism of FIG.5 with the self-lever made lockable.

FIG. 7 is an exploded, perspective view of still another embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of still another embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 9 is an electrical circuit diagram of a control circuit in theembodiment of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1 there is shown a camera housing 1; a release button 2; afinder 3; a lens mounting 4 formed as a unit with the camera body 1having cut thereon an index 12 for mode selection.

A cover actuator ring 5 assumes the illustrated position as moved fromON to OFF. A name ring 6 is provided in front of the lens barrel 4,having a window 7 formed in a portion thereof to permit light from theobject to be photographed to reach a photo-sensitive element (not shown)for exposure control.

The apparatus includes a lever 4 for setting a self-timer mode; a strobelight 10; a control member 11 for popping up the strobe light 10; and anASA display portion 13.

Protection cover blades 14 and 15 for an objective lens (not shown) arepositioned between the name ring 6 and the objective lens (not shown)and are contained as a whole in the lens mounting. The protection coverblades 14 and 15 are pivotally mounted on respective shafts 4b and 4c inthe barrel 4, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and have geared portions 14a and15a which mesh with each other, so that they open and closesymmetrically. Electrical power source terminals 16 control the state ofthe camera 1. When the protection cover blade 15 reaches the fullyopened position, the two terminals 16 are electrically connected witheach other by a switch contact 17 fixed to the protection cover blade15. Thereby camera operation is rendered possible.

An intermediate gear 18 is fixed to one end of a rotary shaft 21, whichis rotatably supported on the barrel 4. A projected portion 5a is fixedto the cover actuator ring 5 and upon counterclockwise movement of thecover actuator ring 5 engages an arm 18a of the intermediate gear 18 andturns the intermediate gear 18 along with its shaft 21 counterclockwise,as viewed in FIG. 2. Also, since a toothed portion 18b of theintermediate gear 18 always meshes with a toothed portion 14b of theprotection cover blade 14, the counterclockwise movement of theintermediate gear 18 is transmitted to the protection cover blades 14and 15, thereby the protection cover is opened. A spring 19 alwayspresses a pin 15b on the protection cover blade 15 in a direction whichcloses the protection cover 15 (in a clockwise direction as viewed inthe drawing).

A click spring 20 is fixed to the barrel 4. A hump of this detent spring20 drops into one of two notches 5b when the protection cover is openedor closed, that is, when the cover actuator ring 5 is set in an ON orOFF position. Thereby the photographer is given the impression that modeselection is completed, and it effects latching of the protection cover14, 15 and the actuator 5 in the opened position against the force ofthe return spring 19.

The shaft 21 of the intermediate gear 18 rotates in unison with theintermediate gear 18, and has a plate portion 21a at the opposite endthereof. Furthermore, the plate portion 21a has a pin 21b carriedthereon. In this plate portion 21a, a display portion light shieldingplate 22 is unitary therewith, and its opaque portion 22a is positionedin front of a finder mark portion 25 so that it releasably covers themark in response to the cover actuator ring 5. Light passing through thefinder mark portion 25 enters through an eyepiece 29, reaching the eyeof the photographer as a display in the finder.

A light shielding lever 23 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 24 and has anelongated slot 23a at one end thereof in which is engaged the pin 21b ofthe plate portion 21a, and at the opposite end an opaque portion 23b.This light shielding portion 23b enters and retracts from the finderfield of view in response to rotative movement of the plate portion 21a.

Light from the object after having passed an objective lens 28 isdirected through a half mirror 27 and the eyepiece lens 29 to the eye ofthe photographer.

FIG. 3 illustrates the finder viewing field when the camera is set in aposition where the protection cover is closed. The opaque portion 22a ofthe light shielding plate 22 shuts off an area labelled "ON" in thefinder mark portion 25, while "OFF" appears as a semi-transparentdisplay in the finder viewing field. Also, at this time, thelight-shielding portion 23b of the light shielding lever 23 is abackground for the letters "OFF" in the finder viewing field.

FIG. 4 illustrates how the finder viewing field looks when the camera isset in another position when the protection cover is open. The opaqueportion 22a of the light shielding plate 22 shuts off an area of "OFF"in the finder mark portion 25, while "ON" semi-transparently appears inthe finder viewing field. Also, at this time, the light shieldingportion 23b of the light shielding lever 23 is retracted from the finderviewing field.

In FIG. 2, when the cover actuator ring 5 is turned counterclockwise tochange from OFF mode to ON mode, the projecting portion 5a of the coveractuator ring 5 turns in unison with the cover actuator ring 5, thenabuts the arm 18a of the intermediate gear 18, and turns theintermediate gear 18 counterclockwise. On the other hand, since thetoothed portion 18b of the intermediate gear 18 meshes with the toothedportion 14b of the protection cover blade 14, counterclockwise movementof the intermediate gear 18 causes clockwise movement of the protectioncover blade 14. Also, since the toothed portion 15a of the protectioncover blade 15 meshes with the toothed portion 14a of the protectioncover blade 14, clockwise movement of the protection cover blade 14directly causes counterclockwise movement of the protection cover blade15. Thus, the two protection cover blades 14 and 15 move almostsymmetrically upwards and downwards respectively against the bias forceof the spring 19.

When the protection cover blades 14 and 15 are retracted from theeffective aperture opening of the objective lens, the contact 17 touchesthe electrical power source terminal 16 throwing the electrical powersource switch. The detent spring 20 drops into the detent notch 5b ofthe cover actuator ring 5 and, at the same time, the projection portion5a abuts the stopper portion 4e of the barrel 4. Thus, the coveractuator ring 5 stops moving, and the camera is ready for shooting.

At this time, the unitary shaft 21 and plate portion 21a cooperatingwith the intermediate gear 18 turn counterclockwise. This causes thelight shielding portion 22a of the light shielding plate 22, which isunitary with the plate portion 21a, to move away from a positioncovering the letters "ON" to cover the letters "OFF" in an area near thecenter of the finder viewing field. Also, since the pin 21b of the plateportion 21a engages in the slot 23a of the light shielding lever 23, thelight shielding lever 23 turns clockwise in response to thecounterclockwise movement of the plate portion 21a. Then, when theopaque portion 22a of the light shielding plate 22 formed as a unit withthe plate portion 21a covers the letters "OFF", the light shieldingportion 23b of the light shielding lever 23 moves away from the finderviewing field.

At this time, the view in the finder is changed from that illustrated inFIG. 3 to that illustrated in FIG. 4.

The change from ON mode to OFF mode occurs when the cover actuator ring5 is turned clockwise, as viewed in the drawing. Though the protectioncover blade 15 is urged clockwise by the spring 19, as viewed in thedrawing, the detent spring 20 in engagement with the ON-side detentnotch of the click 5b holds the protection cover blades 14 and 15stationary in the open position by virtue of the gearing engagements ofthe toothed portions 14a and 15a with each other and of the toothedportions 14b and 18b with each other and the abutting engagement of thearmed portion 18a of the intermediate gear 18 with the projectingportion 5a of the cover actuator ring 5. When the cover actuator ring 5is turned clockwise, as viewed in the drawing, the spring 19 drives theprotection cover blades 14 and 15 in a closing direction, while theintermediate gear 18 is turned clockwise following the projectingportion 5a of the cover actuator ring 5. At this time, the switchcontact 17 moves away from the electrical terminals 16 cutting off thecamera's electrical energy supply. Soon thereafter the protection cover14, 15 is fully closed, and the intermediate gear 18 is also stopped.The cover actuator ring 5 is turned until the detent spring 20 drops inthe detent notch 5b and the projected portion 5a abuts the stopper 4f.

During this time, the operation of the light shielding plate 22 and thelight shielding lever 23 reverses direction from that above, so that theindication in the finder viewing field changes from that illustrated inFIG. 4 to that in FIG. 3.

It is to be noted here that though this embodiment has been described asalternatively displaying the words "ON" and "OFF", it is, of course,possible to use only "OFF". Another variation is that instead of usingthe letters "ON" and "OFF", equivalent symbols, pictographs and colorsmay be used. It is further noted that in this embodiment, the lightshielding lever 23 is provided to improve the contrast of the "OFF" markto the brightest object or to a special color tone, and therefore thisprovision is not always necessary.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. When theprotection cover is closed, the mode selection control is locked, andthe same reference numerals have been employed to denote parts similarto those shown in FIG. 2.

The intermediate gear 18 is rotatably supported on a shaft 4d providedin the barrel 4. Also, a lock lever 31 is pivotally supported on a shaft30 and urged counterclockwise by a spring 32, but its range of pivotalmovement is limited by its one arm 31a abutting a shoulder 4g of thebarrel 4 in the illustrated position.

The one arm 31a extends into the path of movement of the projectingportion 5a of the cover actuator ring 5 so that as the cover actuatorring 5 is turned counterclockwise, when an intermediate point on thepath from "OFF" to "ON" is reached, the projecting portion 5a strikesit. A slide 35 is movable to the right and is guided by pins 34. Theslide 35 is formed as a unit with a mode changeover control member 11,and is urged by a spring 33 in a direction indicated by an arrow. In oneend of the slide 35 there is a pawl 35a, and this, when engaging a lockportion 10a of a strobe light 10, holds the strobe light 10 which isurged upwards in the illustrated position.

The lock lever 31 has another arm 31b which restrains the slide 35 fromleftward movement at its engagement portion 35a, so that even when thecontrol member 11 is intentionally actuated, it cannot move.

Strobe light contacts are identified by the numerals 37 and 38. In theillustrated position, the contact 38 is pushed down by a bottom face 10bof the strobe light 10 so that the contacts 37 and 38 are notelectrically connected with each other.

To operate this type of camera, the operator first turns the coveractuator ring 5 counterclockwise. As the projecting portion 5a turns inunison therewith, it abuts the arm 18a of the intermediate gear 18 and,while maintaining the abutting engagement therewith, turns theintermediate gear 18 counterclockwise.

Since the toothed portion 18b of the intermediate gear 18 meshes withthe toothed portion 14b of the protection cover blade 14 as in theprevious embodiment, counterclockwise movement of the intermediate gear18 causes clockwise movement of the protection cover blade 14.

Furthermore, since the toothed portion 15a of the protection cover blade15 meshes with the toothed portion 14a of the protection cover blade 14,clockwise movement of the protection cover blade 14 causescounterclockwise movement of the protection cover blade 15. Thus theprotection cover blades 14 and 15 are opened as they move almostsymmetrically upwards and downwards against the bias force of the spring19.

At a time during the opening operation of the protection cover blades14, 15, the projecting portion 5a of the cover actuator ring 5 abuts onthe one arm 31a of the lock lever 31 and turns the lock lever 31clockwise against the bias force of the spring 32, thereby the other arm31b is disengaged from the engagement portion 35a of the slide 35. Whenthe cover actuator ring 5 is turned a short distance further in thecounterclockwise direction, the detent spring 20 drops in the detentnotch 5b to latch the cover acuator ring 5. At this time, the lock lever31 is stopped with its arm 31 abutting the shoulder 4h of the barrel 4.

With the camera in this position, when a flash exposure is desired, theoperator pushes the control member 11 to the right against the biasforce of the spring 33. As the slide 35 moves in the same direction, theengagement portion 35a is unlatched from the lock portion 10a of thestrobe light 10, and the strobe light 10 then pops up in an upwarddirection. At this time, the strobe light contact 38, which has so farbeen displaced by the bottom face 10b of the strobe light 10 iselectrically connected with the opposite strobe light contact 37 as thestrobe light bottom portion 10b retracts upwards. Thus, charging of astorage condenser (not shown) starts.

After the flash exposure has been completed, when the photographerpushes the strobe light 10 down into the camera body 1, the slide 35,which has so far been displaced to the right in abutting engagement withthe side surface of the strobe light 10, then returns to the illustratedposition under the action of the spring 33, so that the strobe light 10is latched in the illustrated position and electrical conduction betweenthe strobe light contacts 37 and 38 ends.

Furthermore, the photographer closes the lens protection cover 14, 15 byturning the cover actuator ring 5 clockwise. Then the lock lever 31 isturned counterclockwise by the bias force of the spring 32, and, when itreaches the illustrated position, its one arm 31a abuts the shoulder 4gof the barrel 4, thus stopping further movement of the lock lever 31.Also, at this time, the intermediate gear 18 turns clockwise, closingthe protection cover 14, 15 under the action of the spring 19. It is,therefore, in this position that even if the control member 11 on thecamera housing is accidentally pushed to the right, the engagement ofthe pawl 35a of the slide 35 with the arm 21b of the lock lever 31 keepsthe control member 11 from moving so that the strobe light 10 never popsup, and the strobe light contacts 37 and 38 remain in the non-conductingstate.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, further provision is made for locking aself-timer conrtol lever 9 from actuation by means of the position ofthe cover actuator ring 5.

In this drawing, a latch pawl 5e is fixed to the cover actuator ring 5and engages a bent or stepped portion 9b of the self lever 9 when thecover actuator ring 5 is in the "OFF" position. This engagementprohibits pivotal movement of the self lever 9 about a shaft 9a so thatthe photographer cannot switch the camera to the self mode as long asthe protection cover 14, 15 is closed.

FIG. 7 illustrates still another embodiment of the present invention,where the cover actuator ring 5 serves as a mode selector for switchingthe camera to the flash exposure mode. The embodiment of this drawing isdifferent from that of FIG. 5 in that the arm 31b of the lock lever 31directly latches the engagement portion 10b of the strobe light 10 andthat when the cover actuator ring 5 is turned counterclockwise beyondthe "ON" position (to a position labelled "FLASH" in the drawing), thearm 31a of the lock lever 31 engages the projected portion 5a of thecover actuator ring 5, thereby the lock lever 31 is turned clockwise.

The process for opening the protection cover 14, 15 is similar to thatin the previous embodiment. After the protection cover 14, 15 has beenopened, when the cover actuator ring 5 is further turnedcounterclockwise, since the arm 18a of the intermediate gear 18 escapesfrom the path of movement of the projection portion 5a of the coveractuator ring 5 as it turns, motion of the cover actuator ring 5 is nolonger transmitted to the protection cover blades 14 and 15. Theprojection portion 5a then engages the arm 31a of the lock lever 31 andmoves it clockwise against the bias force of the spring 32. Therefore,the opposite arm 31b of the lock lever 31 is disengaged from the detentportion 10a of the strobe light 10, pops up the strobe light 10 underthe action of the spring 36 and also closes the strobe light contacts 37and 38, or turns on the strobe light switch.

Further rotation of the cover actuator ring 5 causes one arm 31a of thelock lever 31 to strike the shoulder of the barrel 4. Therefore, thecover actuator ring 5 is prohibited from further rotational movement.Also, when the photographer removes his hand from the cover actuatorring 5 in this position, the lock lever 31 and the cover actuator ring 5are turned by the action of the spring 32. That motion stops when theopposite arm 31b of the lock lever 31 abuts the wall portion 10c of thestrobe light 10. At this time, the cover actuator ring 5 does not returnuntil the "ON" position is reached.

After the flash exposure has been completed, when the strobe light 10 ispushed down into the camera by hand, the wall 10a engages the arm 31b ofthe lock lever 31 and the lock lever 31 turns counterclockwise under theaction of the spring 32. The cover actuator ring 5 also returns to the"ON" position.

At this time, the arm 18a of the intermediate gear 18 is pressed againstthe inner surface of the projecting portion 5a of the cover actuatorring 5 so that the protection cover blades 14 and 15 are securelypositioned in the open position. When the protection cover 14, 15 is tobe used, the photographer further turns the cover actuator ring 5clockwise. Since the protection cover blades 14 and 15 are urged toclose by the bias force of the spring 19, the intermediate gear 18,while remaining in abutting engagement on the projecting portion 5a ofthe cover actuator ring 5, turns clockwise, and the protection cover 14,15 is closed.

It is noted that though the above embodiment has been described asutilizing the cover actuator ring in switching the camera betweendaylight and flash exposure modes, it is not limited to the flashexposure mode and may be otherwise applied to other special exposuremodes. For example, it may include a self exposure mode, and two or moreselectively switched special exposure modes.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in whichduring opening or closing of the protection cover 14, 15, a batterycheck is made.

In this FIG., check terminals 40 give a warning whether or not anelectrical power source or battery is normal; and electrical sourceterminals are identified by the numeral 16. The two pairs of terminals40 and 16 are electrically connected with each other in each pair by thecontact 17 which is unitary with the protection cover blade 15 when theprotection cover blade 15 operates. The check terminals 40 areelectrically conducted once between the initiation and termination ofthe opening and closing operations of the protection cover blade 15, andthe electrical power source terminals 16 are connected when theprotection cover blade 15 fully retracts from the effective diameter ofthe objective lens.

A detent notch 5d is entered by the detent spring 20 when the contact 17lies across the check terminals 40. The cover actuator ring 5 can beheld in the battery checking position by the detent notch 5d. Referringto FIG. 9, there is shown a checking circuit 42 for checking the voltageof an electrical power source or battery 41 when it is connected to thebattery 41 as the terminals 40 are connected. The checking circuit 42produces a warning signal when the voltage of the battery 41 is below asatisfactory operating level. A control circuit 43 is connected, uponestablishment of a conducting state of the terminals 16 by the contact17, to the battery 41 so that the operation of the camera is controlled.

The operation of the mechanism of FIG. 8 is as follows: When the coveractuator ring 5 is turned counter-clockwise (as viewed in the drawing)from the "OFF" position to the "ON" position, disengagement of thedetent spring 20 and the detent notch 5b of the cover actuator ring 5takes place, and the projecting portion 5a of the cover actuator ring 5abuts the arm 18a of the intermediate gear 18 and then turns thiscounterclockwise. Since the geared portion 18b of the intermediate gear18 meshes with the toothed portion 14b of the protection cover blade 14,counterclockwise movement of the intermediate gear 18 causes clockwisemovement of the protection cover blade 14, as viewed in the drawing.Since the protection cover blades 14 and 15 mesh with each other attheir respective toothed portions 14a and 15a, clockwise movement of theprotection cover blade 14 causes counterclockwise movement of theprotection cover blade 15 against the force of the spring 19. Thus, theprotection cover blades 14 and 15 are opened as they move almostsymmetrically upwards and downwards.

When the protection cover blade 15 slightly opens, the contact 17, whichis unitary with the protection cover blade 15, contacts the batteryvoltage checking terminals 12. Thereby the terminals 12 are electricallyconnected with each other. In this way, the battery voltage checkingcircuit 42 measures the actual voltage of the battery in the camera. Ifan abnormal condition is detected, the photographer is notified by apreviously provided means such as a buzzer (not shown).

When the cover blades 14 and 15 are opened further, the contact 17 movesaway from the battery voltage checking terminals 12. Then when the coverblades 14 and 15 are fully opened outside the effective diameter of theobjective lens, the contact 17 connects the battery terminals 16 so thatthe control circuit 43 is supplied with the necessary current forexposure.

When the cover blades 14 and 15 are still further slightly opened, thedetent spring 20 drops in the detent notch 5b of the cover actuator ring5, and the projecting portion 5a of the cover actuator ring 5 abuts thestopper portion 4e of the barrel 4. Therefore, the cover actuator ringis stopped from further movement. Thus, the camera is ready to shoot.

It is noted that, according to this embodiment, it is also possible thateven in closing the protection cover blades 14 and 15, where the contact17 electrically connects the terminals 12 with each other for a time, abattery voltage check may be performed at this time.

The present invention has a lens protection cover built into theinterior of the barrel at the front of the objective lens, and this lensprotection cover opens and closes in response to an actuator memberoperable along the periphery of the lens barrel, thereby the objectivelens is protected from damage when not shooting. It is, therefore,possible to provide a camera having a built-in protection cover whilethe very simple structure is preserved and there is no unduly largeincrease in camera bulk and size. That is, according to the presentinvention, the protection cover and a control mechanism for opening andclosing the protection cover can be arranged collectively ahead of theobjective lens. The advantage is that the device itself can be compact,and the drive connecting mechanism between the actuator member and theprotection cover can be simply constructed.

Another feature of the present invention is that, depending upon theopening and closing of such a protection cover, the display in and theoperation of the camera are controlled so that such a camera cannotsuffer from faulty operation. That is, according to the presentinvention, whether the protection cover is closed or open can beindicated in the view finder field. Thereby it is possible to avoidshooting with the protection cover closed. Also, since the presentinvention provides that if the protection cover is in the closedposition, the camera cannot be switched to the flash exposure mode andthe self-timer exposure mode so that as the camera is carried with theprotection cover closed, even when the mode selector member is struck bysomething, there is no possibility of accidentally switching the camerato the flash mode. This would otherwise result in wasteful consumptionof electrical energy as the storage condensor for flash light energyabsorbs current from the battery. Another advantage of the invention isthat such an accident can be avoided. If the camera were accidentallyswitched to the self mode by a similar cause, a shutter chance would bemissed when shooting. Such an accident can also be avoided.

Furthermore, the present invention provides an actuator member for theprotection cover which also serves as a mode selector member with theadvantage that the camera's manageability is greatly improved. Thepresent invention makes it also possible to carry out a voltage check ofthe electrical power source while opening or closing the protectioncover.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a camera, an improvement comprising:(a) a lensprotection member provided on the camera so as to be movable between afirst position at which said member protects the front face of thephotographing lens provided on the camera and a second position at whichsaid member retires from the front face of the photographing lens; (b)an operation member for changing over the photographing mode from theordinary photographing mode to another photographing mode by changingover from a first state to a second state; and (c) a lock member inoperative engagement with the movement of the lens protection member forlocking the operation member in the first state when the lens protectionmember is at the first position.
 2. A camera according to claim 1,wherein the operation member sets the camera in the self-timer mode whenthe first state is changed over into the second state.
 3. A cameraaccording to claim 1, wherein the operation member sets the camera intothe flash light photographing mode when the first state is changed overinto the second state.
 4. A camera according to claim 3, furthercomprising:(d) flash light means; and (e) switching means for startingthe light emitting preparation operation of the flash light means whenthe operation member is changed over from the first state to the secondstate.
 5. In a camera, an improvement comprising:(a) a lens protectionmember provided on the camera movable between a first position at whichsaid member protects the front face of the photographing lens and asecond position at which said member retires from the front face of thephotographing lens; (b) a first operation member for moving the lensprotection member between the first and the second position; (c) asecond operation member for changing the photographing mode from theordinary photographing mode to another photographing mode when a firststate is changed over to a second state; and (d) a lock member forlocking the second operation member in the first state, said lock memberreleasing the locking of the second operation member when the lensprotection member is set in the second position by the operation of thefirst operation member.
 6. In a camera, an improvement comprising:(a) alens protection member provided on the camera so as to be movablebetween a first position at which said member protects the front face ofthe photographing lens provided on the camera and a second position atwhich said member retires from the front face of the photographing lens;(b) an operation member for moving the lens protection member betweenthe first and the second position; (c) flash means capable of emitting aflash movable between a first and a second state; and (d) a lock memberfor locking the flash means at the first state, said lock member beinglinkable with the operation member after the lens protection membermoves from the first position to the second position so as to releasethe locking of the flash means by the operation of the operation means.7. In a camera, an improvement comprising:(a) a lens protection memberprovided on the camera so as to be movable between a first position atwhich said member protects the front surface of the photographing lensprovided on the camera and a second position at which said surfaceretreats from the front surface of the photographing lens; (b) switchingmeans to be exchanged from a first state into a second state during thedisplacement of the lens protection member when the lens protectionmember moves between the first and the second position; and (c) a checkcircuit for checking the voltage of the power source built in thecamera, said check circuit checking the voltage of the power source whenthe switching means assumes the second state.